The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona was founded in 1968. The founders aimed to establish four principles of autonomy: freedom to select teaching staff, admission available to all students (but with a limited number), freedom to create its own study plans and freedom to administrate the University's capital. It is therefore a young university, but in its short history it has moved forward at a rapid pace.UAB holds a leading position in the most prestigious and influent international university rankings.